REGIONS OF THE UNITED

STATES

REGIONS

U.S. Government (census bureau) divides the country into four regions.

Remember:

REGION-divides world into units based on similar characteristics.

Formal-designated by official boundaries. ex. states, Gobi DesertFunctional-designed for a job. ex. AirportPerceptional-based on idea or thoughts. ex. Dirty south

NORTHEAST(ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA)

GEOGRAPHY• fewer natural resources (COAL)• rocky soil (FARMING DIFFICULT)• steep hills• maple syrup

CLIMATE• warm, humid summers• snowy, bitterly cold winters

PEOPLE• Many cities that have high population

density.• Europeans settled area in search of

religious liberty. • Legacy of education (Yale, Brown, MIT)• Melting pot of new immigrants from

Europe.• Largest ethnic groups today=Italian, Irish,

Puerto Rican, African American

ECONOMY• financial industry (stock market)*• manufacturing• trade (due to harbors)• fishing (crabs, clams, oysters, fish, lobster)

MID-WEST(IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH,

SD, WI)

GEOGRAPHY• Relatively flat with plains and small hills• Abundant natural resources (COAL,

STEEL, OIL)

CLIMATEVARIES*

Illionis/Indiana- wetter and warmer Great Plain states- dryNorthern states- cooler

Super cells which cause tornados are coming in the spring and summer.

*The differences in climate and soil effect farmers growing season.

ECONOMY• Exporting of farm products (wheat, corn,

soybeans)• Other agriculture-dairy cattle, hogs• Manufacturing-steel mills, auto industry,

railroad.• Financial-Chicago Board of Trade

*Known as the breadbasket because the regions farmers are among the worlds most productive.

PEOPLE• Mostly Christian• Large African American population in

major cities (jazz and blues influence)

WEST(AL, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, NV, NM, MT,OR,

UT, WY, WA)

GEOGRAPHY• Mississippi River forms the easternmost

boundary for the west.• Colorado River is major source of water.• Several mountain ranges that capture

moisture and create precipitation (Rocky, Cascades, Mt. St. Helens,)

• Several dry areas beyond mountains (Mojave, Death Valley)

GEOGRAPHY CONTINUED

• Natural resources include: gold, sliver, uranium.

• Many areas lack adequate water.• Pacific states are the most volcanically

active areas. (Ring of Fire)

CLIMATE• Most of region is arid or semi-arid.• Hawaii has a wet tropical climate and

tropical rain forest. • Alaska is mostly tundra, a cold, dry

treeless plain.

PEOPLE• Manifest Destiny• Cowboy culture created during the early 20th

century.• Hawaii has largest Asian population.• Largest Native American population.• Utah history of religious polygamy & Mormanism• Issues: illegal immigration, race riots• Large Mexican American populations

ECONOMY• Fishing • Forestry• Mining

Many towns grew when he 1st transcontinental railroad was completed making Los Angeles the 2nd largest city in the country.

Alaska is the largest state but smallest in population. Many places can only be reached by boat or plane.

SOUTH(TX, OK, AK, LA, KY, TN, MS, AL, FL, GA,

SC, NC, WV, VA, DC, MD, DE)

GEOGRAPHY• Rich soil• Access to Mississippi River and Gulf of

Mexico• Wetlands and swamps provide for unique

vegetation and wildlife.

CLIMATE• Warmer than other regions*• Zones: temperate, sub-tropical, tropical and arid.

Hurricanes in late summer early autumn are common.

• *Known as the sunbelt.

PEOPLE• History of slavery and segregation• Native American culture flourished until

approx 1500AD• French and Spanish influence from

historical purchases.• Christian influences brought by white

settlers.

ECONOMY• Space industry• Oil industry• Farming (tobacco, rice, cotton, wheat, hay,

corn)

*The south is one of the fastest growing regions of the US due to its warm climate and jobs.

THINK• How do regions help us understand the

country?• Do you think regions contribute to

stereotypes?